England bowler Stuart Broad has announced he will retire from cricket after this summer’s Ashes.
The 37-year-old, who recently passed 600 wickets in Test cricket, confirmed the news at the conclusion of day three of the fifth Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia Oval.
Broad has been a key member of the England Test side since making his debut against Sri Lanka in December 2007, having won 167 caps, and is the leading wicket-taker in this summer’s Ashes series.
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The right-arm seamer, who made his first-class debut for Leicestershire in 2005 and later moved to Nottinghamshire, featured in 121 one-day internationals and 56 international T20 games.
“Tomorrow or Monday will be my last game of cricket,” Broad told Sky Sports Cricket at the close of play on day three. “It’s been a wonderful ride, a huge privilege to wear the Nottinghamshire and England badge as much as I have.
“I’m loving cricket as much as I ever have, it’s been a wonderful series to be a part of and I’ve always wanted to finish at the top.
“This series feels like it has been the most wonderful and entertaining to be a part of.”
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Watch Stuart Broad’s milestone wickets from his Test career
Broad revealed to Sky Sports he had been thinking about announcing his retirement for a couple of weeks, but finally made the decision at 8.30pm on Friday evening when he informed England captain Ben Stokes of his decision at the team hotel.
The rest of the team were told in the changing room this morning, and while Broad still feels in good condition physically he felt like the end of this summer’s Ashes series was the perfect moment to bring the curtain down on a stellar career.
“I thought a lot about it and even up to last night I wasn’t sure, but once I went to Stokesy’s room and told him, I felt really happy and content with everything I’ve achieved in the game,” Broad said.
“Ultimately, the decision came down to… I know I wanted to leave the game loving cricket and my lasting memory being of a really enjoyable changing room.
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The best of the action from day three of the fifth Ashes Test at The Kia Oval as England closed on 389-9, a lead of 377 over Australia.
“It feels like my changing room and I wanted to walk away playing with a group of players I love to bits.”
For now though, the son of former England batter Chris Broad still has one more job to do for his country, seeing out the remainder of their second innings on day four when he and close friend and another stalwart international seam star in James Anderson resume with the hosts on 389-9, leading Australia by 377 runs.
Then it will be aiming to add to his career wicket tally and help England secure a victory which ensures this summer’s Ashes series finishes level at 2-2 and prevents Australia from claiming a first series win on English soil since 2001.
“England versus Australia has always been the pinnacle for me,” Broad said. “I’ve loved the battles with Australia which have come my way personally and the team’s way.
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We look back at Stuart Broad’s finest Ashes spell, taking 8-15 at Trent Bridge back in 2015.
“I’ve got a love affair with Ashes cricket and I think I wanted my last bat and bowl to be in Ashes cricket.”
‘It’s certainly emotional’
Broad explained the attitude he has brought to his game.
“When I was a kid growing up I had sporting idols like Martin Johnson and Stuart Pearce. When I watched them, I loved their passion and drive,” he said.
“I never looked at them and thought ‘I could give more for that shirt’. So I’ve never wanted anyone in the crowd, or watching at home, or listening on the radio, to think ‘he’s not putting in, he’s not giving absolutely everything’. I know I am not the most skilful player that’s played. I know I need every inch of my competitive spirit and my drive and my effort to get anything out of my ability.
“But I would say every day I’ve pulled on a Nottinghamshire shirt or an England shirt, I’ve given my heart and soul. I can’t think there’ll be too many cricket fans out there who would think I’ve slacked off for a moment.”
Broad revealed another reason why he came to the conclusion to retire.
“I’ve been home maybe seven or eight nights this summer. I feel like I haven’t seen Mollie [his fiancé] and Annabella [his daughter] as much as I would like to at such a young age. I love everything about being a dad and will throw all my time and effort into being a great dad,” he said.
“Did that come into my decision? Potentially. There’s certainly something that fills my heart with joy that I’ll be able to spend a bit more time at home.”
His passion for the sport remains.
“It’s a blur. I still love playing the game, I love being in the changing room and I wanted to have those memories leaving the game. That will definitely make me stay in love with the game of cricket for the rest of my life,” he said.
“It’s certainly emotional.”
Atherton: Broad an ‘undeniably great cricketer’
Former England captain and Sky Sports Cricket expert Michael Atherton on Broad’s retirement decision:
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Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain were full of praise for Stuart Broad, who has announced his retirement from cricket
“He’s an undeniably great cricketer for England; 167 games, 602 wickets, and that performance of 8-15 at Trent Bridge against Australia [in 2015] was the defining performance of his career.
“He’s got more Ashes wickets than anyone else in an England shirt, he himself says the Ashes brought the best out of him, and I think that’s why he’s made the decision to go here.
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Stuart Broad appeared to swap over the bails moments before Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed, leaving the Australian far from impressed…
“I think it’s a good decision, by the way. It’s the one thing every cricketer is in control of, when they go, and I think he’s made a good choice here.
“It’s The Oval, the Ashes, Australia – he’s going to get a great ovation tomorrow when he comes out to bat with Jimmy Anderson and then he’s got a chance to help bowl England to victory.
“What could be a better place and time to go out at the age of 37?”
Nasser Hussain added: “Stuart’s great attribute is that he wants to be in that cauldron, he wants to be in that pressure.
“He’s the complete article – the fitness, the hunger, the competitiveness, the skill – and the one thing I know about Stuart Broad is that he won’t let that emotion get in the way of this game.
“That has been the benchmark throughout his career, he wants to win games for England.”
Watch day four of the fifth and final Test of this summer’s men’s Ashes series live on Sky Sports Cricket. Coverage from The Kia Oval begins at 10.15am with the first ball at 11am. Also stream on NOW.
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